The Vigilance sleuths conducted surprise raids on eight schools to check the quality of food served to the students under the mid day meal (MDM) scheme and stumbled upon several irregularities.
The schools raided included Kadaligarh Primary School under Rairakhol Block, Sambalpur, Boxma Nodal UP School under Kuchinda Block, Sambalpur, Government UP School, Mahada under Ulunda Block, Subarnapur, Ekalavya Model Residential School, lahunipada, Sundargarh, Balijuri Upper Primary School under Tangarpali Block, Sundargarh, Khairkuni Upgraded Upper Primary School, Jharsuguda, B Dumerpali UG UP School, Bargarh, Kantapali Government UG UP School under Barkote Block, Deogarh and Mahali Government Upper Primary School, Balangir.
During verification of the attendance registers of the students, the Vigilance sleuths came to know about a number of irregularities with an intention to manipulate the MDM scheme in the schools. The teachers are in the practice of marking “dot” or keeping the spaces blank against the absent students in order to exhaust the allotted quota of MDM rice. They deliberately leave the spaces blank to show present later on in order to misappropriate the stock at the end of the month. The stock and issue registers of four schools were not maintained properly. Concerned authorities have been intimated for taking necessary action against the authorities of the schools, said a Vigilance release. Meanwhile, the Vigilance raids have spread panic in other schools.